The article examines the importance of the foreign policy course for
Azerbaijan. The point is that Azerbaijan only demonstrates its experience of
implementing a balanced political course in such a complex region as the South
Caucasus in a systematic or new geopolitical reality. This should be regarded
as a step forward in the region's diplomacy. This aspect of foreign policy is
very important from the point of view of international credibility as a result
of the confidence in the country and its results. Nowadays, the coordination of
activities within the framework of global organizations with the activities of
regional organizations plays a crucial role in ensuring sovereignty. Azerbaijan
has become an exemplary state that has implemented a systematic and
multi-vector foreign policy course in the region, as well as world. Azerbaijan
cooperates with all states on an equal footing. Noteworthy is that, strong
states have to take account of Azerbaijan's fair position. This is an important
point in foreign policy. The point is that Azerbaijan is the only country in
the South Caucasus that has successfully pursued a balanced foreign policy.
Baku skillfully balances the interests of the great powers in the region.
Azerbaijan is thus gaining a geopolitical dividend that meets national
interests. This issue should be considered as an integral part of the strategy
of "flexible alliances.” Over the past two years, the leadership of the country
has achieved significant results in this aspect, the relations with the United
States and Europe have risen to a new level, and the relations in energy and
security have deepened. The agreements reached during the visit to Britain and
France once again reaffirmed the special role of Azerbaijan in the fight
against international terrorism and its energy security. The European Union has
shown its interest in raising the bilateral relations to a new level, in which
relations with the European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership
Continues its active participation in the format of this event.

Azerbaijan declared its independence on October 18, 1991. Azerbaijan
conducts a balanced, interest-based policy that meets the national interests of
the country and the needs of influential participants around it - President Aliyev
skillfully plays a multi vector game. Azerbaijan can guarantee its national
security through a balanced foreign policy. Azerbaijan is adapting to the changing
environment. This allows Azerbaijan to develop a modus vivendi with regional
actors, as well as outside the South Caucasus. Oil and gas wealth in the Caspian
Sea contributed to the strengthening of Azerbaijan's independence. BTC and
Baku-Supsa were the initiatives of Azerbaijan. Strengthening US-Azerbaijan
security ties opened the way for cooperation with Germany, France and the
United Kingdom. The development of pragmatic relations allowed Azerbaijan and
its partners to find mutually acceptable solutions to the regional problems.
Azerbaijan is the most economically developed country in the South Caucasus,
despite the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the situation with refugees.

The South Caucasus is a region where Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are
located. They have always been on the outskirts of different empires throughout
the history: the Sassanid Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Arab Caliphate, the
Seljuk Empire, the Mongol Empire, the Turks, the Safavid Empire, the Ottoman
Empire, Russia and finally the USSR. The region was constantly moving from one
political center to another, from where it imported management and education
models, as well as ethnic and religious identity. The existence of these
powerful political and cultural centers throughout the region did not allow
earlier opportunities for the local states to raise and strengthen as a
geopolitical center. In other words, mostly the region was in foreign regimes.
The region is used to "import" or be managed. With such a historical
past, it is not surprising to see different inclinations in the region towards
different political centers [2].

There is a point where the three great powers - Russia, Turkey and
Persia - meet: the Caucasus. At this moment, they converge in the country
called Azerbaijan. This fact makes Azerbaijan the country area of conflict of
interests for these three great powers, which over the centuries competed with
each other along different borders. Until 1991, Azerbaijan was part of the
Soviet Union, like the rest of the South Caucasus. But as the Russian border
moved north, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan have been re-discovered by
history. Among these countries, Azerbaijan won a geopolitical award bordering
the great regional powers. Azerbaijan also became a major energy producer [3].
Azerbaijan has an important role for several reasons. First, its energy,
geopolitics and security. Secondly, its location in the Caucasus - in a very
sensitive part of the world - bordering on Russia, Iran and Turkey. Therefore,
when these forces compete or cooperate, the consequences of their activities
are essential for the rest of the world. Therefore, Azerbaijan is influential
in terms of its location and changing geopolitics in the region. For all these
reasons, Azerbaijan occupies substantial place in US foreign policy [4]. The
role of the United States in the Caspian region has gone through several stages
since 1991. Initially, Washington did not seek to assert its influence in the
region. This policy mainly resulted from the lack of knowledge and initiative
towards the Caspian region, as well as the lack of realization of American
interests here. However, by 1994-1995, American policy was in transition. The
oil resources of Azerbaijan and the war in Chechnya demonstrated the military
potential of Russia to US officials - there were two factors that prompted Washington
to start the policy from the second half of 1996. The United States announced
that they consider the Caucasus and the Caspian region to be vital for US
interests [5, p.17]. American money began to flow into Baku thanks to the
investments of oil companies of America, which were attracted by the energy
resources of Azerbaijan. Soon, energy diplomacy finally defined US policy
towards the South Caucasus, which, because of its geographical location, was
viewed as an open door for achieving the energy-rich regions of the Caspian Sea
and Central Asia. In this context, Azerbaijan has become a potential engine of
regional integration, the importance of which has been stressed several times
by the American strategist and statesman Zbigniew Brzezinski. According to him,
Azerbaijan "deserves the highest US support," because it is one of
the most important "geopolitical rods of Eurasia." He also wrote
that, despite the limited size and small population, Azerbaijan with huge
energy resources is also geopolitically critical. This is a cork in a bottle
containing the richness of the basin of the Caspian Sea and Central Asia. The
independence of the Central Asian states may become practically meaningless if
Azerbaijan fully submits to the control of Moscow. Significant oil resources of
the country can also be subjected to the control of Russia, as soon as
Azerbaijan's independence is annulled. Independent Azerbaijan, connected with
the western markets by pipelines that do not pass through the territory
controlled by Russia, also becomes the main means of access from the advanced
and energy-intensive economies to the energy-rich republics of Central Asia [7,
p. 46-47].

On the one hand, Washington sought to "westernize” the oil industry of
Azerbaijan by inviting Western oil companies to help the development of its
energy resources and build a multi-tubular system in Western Europe. This was
considered the best way to "avoid exclusive dependence on Russia's energy
transportation system" and "limit Iran's participation in the
development and transportation of these resources” [6, p. 24].

After George W. Bush's election and the events of September 11, 2001,
and the result of the "war on terror”, fundamental changes in US foreign policy
took place. The "paradigm of the world" and soft energy tools
developed under the Clinton administration were replaced by a "military
paradigm" and instruments of strong power that became decisive in
promoting American interests and the global projection of US power. The new
global strategy of the United States was to try to establish a military
presence in the South Caucasus. As the neighboring countries of the Caucasus,
such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, pose a direct threat to the security of the
United States, as well as the security of the European allies, the region has
become a top priority for US security interests. After military operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq between 2001 and 2003, Washington began to pay more
attention to the South Caucasus and to Azerbaijan in particular. As a result of
Azerbaijan's cooperation with the US in the fight against terrorism, President
George W. Bush declined article 907 of the Law on Support for Freedom in
January 2002. Strangely enough, it was only after the tragedy of September 11
that the US government and the US Congress realized that Article 907 was
harmful to American interests for all these years [8, p. 193]. Azerbaijan
participated in US military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition,
given its geographical location, Azerbaijan provided logistical support for
military operations for ISAF.

Speaking about relations with the United States, it is also important to
touch upon economic relations. The process of economic transformation of
Azerbaijan was not affected only by the war with Armenia, as well as by the
international relations formed under the influence of this war. The Azerbaijani
government, which turned its face to the West after independence to regulate
its economy, made efforts to establish economic relations with the United States.
Prior to the signing of the "Contract of the Century” in 1994, three agreements
were signed with the aim of establishing economic relations between the two
countries. The first one was connected with "Foreign Private Investment
Cooperation”, signed in September 1992 in order to support investments. The
second agreement, aimed at improving commercial relations, was signed on April
12, 1993. The third agreement was signed on September 28, 1993 between the
Azerbaijani and US governments on the issue of investment support. Within the
framework of these agreements, a legal framework was established for the
investment of American firms in Azerbaijan and was aimed at encouraging such
firms. Also influential factor in the development of economic relations between
the two countries was the adoption of the law of April 5, 1994 "Liberalization of
foreign trade in Azerbaijan.” In the framework of efforts to improve mutual
economic ties, President Heydar Aliyev welcomed US Deputy Energy Minister
Charles on June 5, 1996. During the meeting, it was agreed that it was necessary
to improve mutual economic relations, and it was stressed that the role of the
United States in Azerbaijan would be consolidated. On the one hand, improving
mutual economic relations will contribute to the economy of Azerbaijan, and on
the other hand, it will increase the number and influence of the friends of
Azerbaijan, and thereby, will help to eliminate the negative perception of
Azerbaijan in the United States. The US government opened a chamber of commerce
in Baku on December 18 in order to improve economic relations with Azerbaijan.
At the ceremony, held with the participation of J. Kalitsky, who was
responsible for economic relations with the countries of the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS); Kalitsky said that the Clinton administration
attaches great importance to commercial cooperation with Azerbaijan. Economic
relations between the United States and Azerbaijan have developed with an
emphasis on oil. In his speech after the visit to Baku I. Kalitsky mentioned
that the relations between Azerbaijan and the United States should include not
only incentives for investments in energy, but also in other areas of the
economy of Azerbaijan. Kalitsky also touched upon the economic reforms in Azerbaijan,
saying that these reforms are suitable for US interests [10, p. 66]. Azerbaijan
is America's largest trading partner in the South Caucasus and successfully
conducts large mutually beneficial trade deals. For example, Azerbaijan signed
a major contract with Boeing worth $ 1 billion - for the purchase of eight
civilian aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In general, trade with
Azerbaijan helps support more than 11,000 jobs throughout the United States.
The US and Azerbaijan have an Agreement on Trade Relations and a Bilateral
Investment Treaty. Governments periodically gather the Economic Partnership
Commission of the United States and Azerbaijan to discuss bilateral cooperation
to promote trade and investment. The United States has long supported
Azerbaijan's efforts to develop and export its energy resources to Western
markets, and crude oil is the largest import from Azerbaijan. US companies
participate in projects to develop oil fields in Azerbaijan, export aircraft
and heavy equipment to the country and study new investment opportunities in
telecommunications and other areas.

The Law on the Protection of Foreign Investments permits foreign direct
investment in any activity into which a national investor can invest, unless
otherwise prohibited by law, including those relating to national security and
defense. Azerbaijan was appointed as a beneficiary country within the framework
of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, according to which a
number of products that Azerbaijan can aspire to export have the right to
duty-free entry to the United States. The GSP program provides an incentive for
investors to produce in Azerbaijan and export the selected products duty-free
to the US market [11].

Thus, we see that Azerbaijan is influential for the United States as a
regional geopolitical player. The USA for Azerbaijan is a global partner in
various fields with whom the policy of rapprochement is conducted, but
considering

Furthermore, today, Turkey is one of Azerbaijan's strategic partners.
Turkey's relations with Azerbaijan are flourishing, since Turkey recognized a
new independent Azerbaijan in 1991. Turkey and Azerbaijan are currently linked
by projects covering the political, military, economic, cultural and social
spheres, and the links between the two peoples are expressed in the saying:
"One nation, two states”. Energy cooperation in the Azerbaijani-Turkish
relations is of great importance. Two pipelines, which supply oil and gas, link
Azerbaijan with Turkey through Georgia. Thus, Turkey plays an important role in
the transit of hydrocarbons from the Caspian Sea to European markets. The ties
in energy cooperation are so close that experts note that they are moving away
from the classic "low policy” relationship to "high politics”. The supremacy of
energy cooperation in relations with Turkey can be caused only by military
relations. Turkey first closed the border with Armenia after the beginning of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, supporting Azerbaijan in creating the
semi-blockade of Armenia. Since then, he helped Azerbaijan to strengthen its
military capabilities. Thousands of officers and non-commissioned officers of
Azerbaijan underwent military training in Turkey. As a member of NATO, Turkey
helps Azerbaijan in developing its armed forces to the highest standards
supported by the Alliance, thus, creating a favorable atmosphere for
Azerbaijan-NATO relations. At the same time, due to their relations with
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey are interested in the development of regional projects
and ensuring energy security in the region. It should be noted that Turkey's
interest in the establishment of a regional energy center is largely supported
by Azerbaijan. Energy projects and close cooperation in the development of
energy policies favorable to the economy are trademarks of the
Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. Azerbaijan also gives Turkey a reference to
Central Asia, to which ethnic Turks are connected both culturally and
historically. Since Azerbaijan remains part of the post-Soviet space, it can
promote such cooperation. In addition, Azerbaijan seeks to support Turkey in
its struggle against the PKK, which is one of the highest priorities on the
national security agenda of Turkey [9, p. 4].

The first years of AKP rule in Turkey created the image of a state aimed
at realizing its intellectual, diplomatic and resource potential. Turkey and
Azerbaijan have achieved great success in energy cooperation. In 2007 the
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline was opened. The European Union in seeking access
to markets in the Middle East and Central Asia is forced to act through an
intermediary, supporting its leadership in the region. Turkey is striving to
become the "fourth gas artery" of the European Union, this is
indicated by its participation in the projects providing for gas transit
through Turkey - TANAR, TAP, AGRI (Azerbaijan-Georgian-Romanian project on
transportation of liquefied gas). "Energy diplomacy" of Turkey has
achieved the conclusion of contracts and the implementation of large enterprises.
Ankara's ability to re-export Azerbaijani gas to Europe strengthens Turkey's
position in its relationship with the EU. In order to increase their revenues
and prevent the monopoly of Gazprom in the gas market, the Caspian countries
want to take part in various pipeline projects. Among these countries,
Azerbaijan, recently concluded with Turkey a new agreement on the supply of
Azerbaijani natural gas for its use, and to ensure transit to Europe. The
project of the main gas pipeline "Nabucco", which was planned from
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan to supply gas to Europe, remained unrealized. Most
of the gas pipeline was to pass through the territory of the Republic of
Turkey. For the transportation of Caspian oil bypassing Russia and Iran, the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, built by previous rulers, was built and opened in
2006. This corridor project, bypassing Armenia, can both sever the South
Caucasus and increase the chances for stabilization of relations, and this
depends on the policies of the states [12]. Azerbaijan has always played for
Turkey in the Caucasus in Central Asia and the Caspian region the key role of
the mediator in providing communication with other, mainly Turkic-speaking,
countries. Turkey for Azerbaijan is an "ally and reliance on the international
arena”. August 16, 2010, two states signed the Treaty on Strategic Partnership
and Mutual Assistance [13, p. 131].

Azerbaijan-Iran relations are one of the most complex bilateral
relations in the region, which have undergone radical transformations over the
past 20 years. These relationships are determined by several factors. The first
of these is the presence in Iran of a 22-30 million Azeri minority, (the
largest of the minorities). Since Azerbaijan gained independence, Tehran has
been worried all the time that Baku can play an ethnic card for pressure on
Iran. Secondly, Tehran irritates the secular nature of the Azerbaijani regime,
which is still a model for development not only for Iranian Azerbaijanis, but
also for other peoples. Annually in March, about 40 thousand Iranian citizens
cross the border with Azerbaijan to celebrate Novruz in a secular state. At the
same time, both states have been pursuing a policy of dialogue lately. This is
confirmed by the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Iran in March
2017. In the past few years, Tehran and Baku are actively building up close
cooperation. The leaders of the two states today boldly declare that the
relations between the countries have reached a new level and reached
considerable heights. On March 5, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in
Iran on a visit to his colleague Hasan Roukhani. The politicians held an
important conversation, which confirmed the status of the allied relations. The
Azerbaijani president, in turn, added that cooperation between states is
developing much faster than he expected, and has already covered all areas of
activity. The heads of state did not forget about the historical roots. Aliyev
said that Azerbaijanis and citizens of Iran have been brothers for many
centuries and should always be ready to help each other. He thanked Iran for
its position on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "I want
to express my gratitude to Iran for its position on the settlement of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. This position is based on
international principles, laws and justice, "he said. Aliyev noted that
the territorial integrity of each country is inviolable. "The political
ties between Azerbaijan and Iran are at a high level, we support each other in
all international organizations," he said. In his turn, President Roukhani
stressed that Iran respects the territorial integrity of all countries. "I
hope that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will find its solution. Conflicts must
be resolved through discussions and in a political way, "he said. At the
current stage, Iran makes its feasible contribution to the non-resumption of
hostilities in the zone of the Karabakh conflict, to maintaining a balance of
forces and interests between the opposing sides. Iran is not interested.

For 25 years, both the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation
have demonstrated pragmatic and constructive efforts towards rapprochement. In
an interview with the Russia-24 television channel, Ilham Aliyev touched upon
the open, frank and independent policy of our state, especially with regard to
Russia and the goals and objectives of this policy: "We intend to actively
cooperate with as many countries as possible. For example, I would like to note
that, as one of the most important moments of the past, joining the Non-Aligned
Movement. I think it is a very important, necessary, timely and remarkable
step. In doing so, we emphasize that we are first of all open to the world
because many countries are united in that organization. On the other hand, we
emphasize Azerbaijan's position in the future processes in the world”.

According to the experts' opinion, the dialectics and content of the "complicated”
way of communication between Azerbaijan and Russia over the past 25 years of
state independence can be divided into the following stages:

1. The period of contention - restoration of state independence - from
April 1991 to October 1993.

2. The beginning of a constructive dialogue - from October 1993 to
January 2001.

3. Mutually beneficial cooperation and the stage of identification of
common interests - from January 2001 to July 2008.

4. Strategic Partnership Stage - from July 2008 to present.

As it was noted, 1991-1993 was the most complicated stage of the
relations between the two countries. Some of the factors constituting these
contradictions were of a common character. For instance, in the other
republics, Russia and Azerbaijan after the collapse of the Soviet Union faced
serious socio-economic and political problems. On the other hand, these
republics for about 70 years, the main mobilizing and unifying function
communism, the ideology of bankruptcy as a result of ideological vacuum outside
alternative and in many cases the destructive nature of bad ideas, religious
and political movements influence to it, are not available for the public
ideologically to split Was removed. In addition to political and economic
problems, both young people faced internal threats - foreign-controlled ethnic
separatism. Interstate at that time, there were new stereotypes and tendencies
that hindered relations. Thus, 1992-1993 was included in the history of
Azerbaijan as a poverty, arbitrariness and chaos. The AXC-Musavat authorities
were unable to take the necessary measures to eliminate these threats. They
were not interested in the development of relations with the neighboring
states, especially the Russian Federation. In this complicated period, the
official Baku seeks to get rid of all the political, social, economic and
financial problems faced by the country, especially from the military conflict
around Nagorno-Karabakh, and the liberation of artificial separatisms in the
north and south regions of the country only in the West, Who saw Russia as a
legal heir. Any activity of Russia in the region was regarded as a geopolitical
activity aimed at the restoration of the Soviet Union. Recall that, as in other
republics, Azerbaijan still faced such an attempt in 27 June, 1991, the local
Soviet Union made a decision to join Azerbaijan in the new union - the Treaty
on the Union of Sovereign States. The signing of a new alliance was not just a
result of the August Revolt in Moscow. Official Moscow, which seeks Azerbaijan
in the geopolitical and geo-economic interests of Russia, has regarded the
policy pursued by the AXC-Musavat administration as a source of threat and made
different accusations. Nevertheless, this contradictory stage had some positive
impact on the future development of normal and lasting positive relationships.
The internal and external problems, the sensitive moments, which could harm
relations, were clarified at that time. At the same time, despite the political
contradictions, Azerbaijan tried to hold positions outside Russia and the
Commonwealth of Independent States, but mutual accusations did not prevent the
proximity of nations and the tendencies of communication. However, it should
also be acknowledged that one of the reasons for mutual mistrust in relations
between Azerbaijan and Russia in 1991-1995 was the lack of confidence of our some
northern neighbor's political circles to be ready for interstate cooperation
and the introduction of artificial stereotypes to the political circle. As
noted above, the stages of establishing good neighborly relations between two
countries on constructive basis, mutually beneficial cooperation and
identification of common interests are directly related to the political and
diplomatic activities of national leader Heydar Aliyev and his rich statehood
experience. Just after Heydar Aliyev returned to the political power, in the
early 1990s, both sides managed to gradually eliminate the cold and uncertainty
resulting from Bolshevik Maximalism and normalize relations. Heydar Aliyev
said: "The Popular Front is pursuing an anarchy policy, and it does all
the way to avoid rapprochement between Russia and Azerbaijan. Apparently,
Moscow was also satisfied. You know my attitude to Russia. Azerbaijan is
dependent on Russia, economically, culturally and geopolitically. We are not
just neighbors, we have a common history. I repeat: the current attitude to
Russia does not satisfy me, and I am convinced that this will definitely change
". Later on, Vladimir Putin said about the historical role of Heydar
Aliyev in bringing Russian-Azerbaijani relations to a higher level: "For
many years Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev's effective activity has been directly
linked to the common history of our peoples. He laid the foundation for
strategic partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan, made a great contribution
to strengthening our friendship and mutual understanding. " In this
regard, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian
Federation, is also interested in his views: "For Heydar Alirza oglu
Aliyev, Russia has been a historic and comprehensive supporter of the
comprehensive Azerbaijani-Russian relations in the 21st century, the
strengthening of the strategic partnership between the two countries" [15,
p. 177].

Thus, if a small excursion to the history of Azerbaijani-Russian
relations is observed, relations between the two countries have not been so
easy in the first years after the independence. However, after the national
leader Heydar Aliyev came to power, the situation began to change for the
better. Starting from the summer of 1993, Heydar Aliyev played an important
role in establishing friendly relations with Russia and laid the foundations
for a strategic partnership between the two countries. As the chairman of the
Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev commented on the
importance of establishing relations between the two countries at the first
meeting of the parliament on June 15, 1993: "Russia is a great state, our
northern neighbor. Undoubtedly, relations between Russia and Azerbaijan on the
basis of independent principles should be better, wider and more effective
". Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian
Federation were established on the basis of the relevant protocol signed on 4
April 1992 in Baku. In 1992, embassies of Azerbaijan in Russia and Russia in
Azerbaijan started their activity. The main document forming the contractual
basis of bilateral relations is the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual
Security signed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan
on July 3, 1997. After the signing of the agreement, the cooperation between
the two countries was laid. The first official visit of Heydar Aliyev’s visit
to Russia on 2-4 July 1997 at the invitation of the President of the Russian
Federation Boris Yeltsin became the most important event in establishing
bilateral relations.

In 2000, when Vladimir Putin was elected President of the Russian
Federation, the leadership of the country began to propagate more pragmatic
positions and prisms in relations with Azerbaijan. In contrast to the previous
period, it was not just an integration framework within the CIS, but also the
national interests of both countries (security, economic development). In the
subsequent period, a substantial political base was formed to establish close
friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. Almost 150 intergovernmental
documents have been signed between the two countries. These documents cover
areas such as political, military-technical, security, economic (trade,
investment, finance, fuel-energy cooperation, transportation of oil of
Azerbaijan through Russia), scientific, cultural, and protection of the rights
of homeland. Heydar Aliyev’s and Ilham Aliyev’s official and business trips to
Russia, Vladimir Putin’s and Dmitry Medvedev’s visits to Azerbaijan gave
impetus to the development of bilateral relations. On January 9-10, 2001, the
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held a state visit to Russia
on 3-4 July 2008, Heydar Aliyev’s visit to Russia on January 24-27, 2002,
Official visits of President Aliyev to Russia on 5-7 February 2004, 19-20 April
2009 created favorable conditions for the development of relations between the
two countries. In recent years, Azerbaijan and Russia have an intensive
political dialogue at all levels. The system-oriented international legal
documents have high dynamics. The 1997 Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and
Mutual Security was developed by the 2001 Baku Declaration and the 2004 Moscow
Declaration. The Joint Declaration on Friendship and Partnership, signed during
Dmitry Medvedev's official visit to Azerbaijan, has deepened friendly and
neighborly relations. It is enough to pay attention to mutual visits during the
last 3 years to prove the active development of the relations at high level.
Visiting Azerbaijan on August 13, 2013, Vladimir Putin discussed with his
Azerbaijani counterpart the political situation and the Nagorno-Karabakh
situation. According to the results of the visit, agreements on cooperation in
the field of oil and gas production and the construction of a bridge over the
two states were signed. On February 6-8, 2014, Ilham Aliyev has attended the
opening ceremony of the XXII Sochi Winter Olympics. On August 8-10, 2014, Ilham
Aliyev paid a working visit to Russia. During the visit, two presidents
discussed a number of bilateral and regional issues. On September 29-30, 2014,
Aliyev attended the IV Summit of the Caspian littoral states in Astrakhan and
on the events dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War in
Moscow on May 8-9, 2015. On June 12-13, 2015, Vladimir Putin paid a working
visit to Baku. Bilateral relations and international issues were discussed
during the visit. Vladimir Putin also attended the opening ceremony of the
first European Games. On June 20, 2016 Aliyev visited St. Petersburg. During
the meeting with the Russian President, the current situation in bilateral
relations, humanitarian cooperation and solution of the Karabakh problem were
discussed. On August 8, 2016, Vladimir Putin paid a working visit to
Azerbaijan. A trilateral meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Russia and
Iran was held during the visit. During the working visit of Russian President
Vladimir Putin to Azerbaijan on August 8, 2016, President Ilham Aliyev
described the Azerbaijani-Russian relations as follows: "Frequently occurring
meetings, of course, give a new impetus to the development of our relations.
These relations, who have already reached the level of strategic partnership,
already cover almost all aspects of our lives. We actively interact in
international spaces, strengthen political dialogue, strengthen economic ties,
have good results in transport and energy, and humanitarian cooperation
develops. "Over the past few years, joint efforts have found solutions to the
optimal, mutually acceptable and beneficial sides of a number of important
issues for both sides. The State Border Agreement was signed, the issue of
protection and rational use of the Samur River was resolved and the situation
with Russian citizens living in two villages of Khachmaz region was resolved.
The process of approaching the positions of Moscow, Baku and Astana on the
status of the Caspian Sea has actually been completed.”

The humanitarian cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the
Russian Federation is mainly regulated by humanitarian cooperation programs.
There are bilateral agreements and treaties regulating almost all aspects of
humanitarian relations between the two countries, as well as renewed
cooperation programs between the ministries of culture of the two countries and
protocols on cooperation between the ministries of education. The Azerbaijani
side, along with the central federal government, is also closely cooperating
with Russian subjects in the humanitarian sphere. The indication of the high
level of humanitarian cooperation between the two countries over the past few
years has undoubtedly been supported by the "Azerbaijan-Russia Humanitarian
Forum” held in Baku in 2010 and under the auspices of the President of the two
countries in Baku every year "Baku International Humanitarian Forums”. The
participation of delegations from both countries at these events, the relevance
and relevance of the discussed issues, its transition from the bilateral
framework to the international level and the transformation into an
internationally recognized platform, Azerbaijan's contribution to the
development of Russian humanitarian ties not only bilateral but also
humanitarian cooperation at the international level is a clear indication. The
role of Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the development of humanitarian and
cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia should be especially
emphasized. The Fund holds a number of charitable actions in Russia, acts as
organizer of cultural events. It is no coincidence that on June 9, 2005,
President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Vice President Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva
for his contribution to the social, cultural and philanthropic activities,
educational and cultural institutions, for his significant contribution to the
strengthening of friendship between the Russian and Azerbaijani peoples, "Awarded
to the International Charitable Foundation” Yaqut Khach”. The Vice-President of
the Foundation, Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva, was awarded with the Order of the 3rd
Degree "Knyaginya Olga" for the promotion of the Prince of Vladimire
in Astrakhan and the construction of a new park in the surrounding area.
Besides, with the initiative and support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla
Aliyeva was awarded the "For Services in the Astrakhan Region" for
the construction of the Russian-Azerbaijani Friendship Bridge, the creation of
the Arzu Children's Playground in the Heydar Aliyev Park and the implementation
of other social projects in the city of Astrakhan. On February 20-24, 2008,
Ilham Aliyev was named honorary professor of the Moscow State University named
after M. Lomonosov during his working visit to Moscow to attend an informal
summit of the CIS Heads of State. One of the most important events in the field
of education between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation was
the launch of the Baku branch of the Moscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov,
one of the world's leading educational institutions in 2008, in accordance with
the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated January 15,
2008 It was. On September 26, 2012 the new educational complex of the branch
was put into operation. In September 2015, Baku branch of the First Moscow
State Medical University named after I. Sechenov opened in Baku. More than
150,000 Russians live in Azerbaijan. It is the largest Russian diaspora in the
South Caucasus that has maintained its ethnic identity, culture, language and
religion. All the conditions for full integration of Russians into the
country's socio-economic, political and cultural life have been created, as
well as other nations in Azerbaijan. Russian Information and Culture Center
operates, Russian Drama Theater named after Samad Vurgun is very popular. The
Russian community is a real link between the two peoples. One of the leaders of
the Russian community in Azerbaijan, Viktor Zabelin is a member of the
Azerbaijani Parliament. The Russian Orthodox Church in Baku plays an important
role in maintaining the cultural and spiritual heritage, customs and traditions
of the Russian community. One of the important factors of socio-political and
humanitarian relations between Azerbaijan and Russia is the preservation and
development of the Russian language in the republic. In Azerbaijan, 327
secondary schools and 27 universities are taught in Azerbaijani and Russian and
16 in Russian only. The number of pupils and students studying in Russian is
over 100,000. One of the major centers for Russian language study in Baku -
Baku Slavic University operates in Baku.

Sum up all the above, it can be concluded that Russia's rejection of the
new empire instinct can make it a desirable guest in Azerbaijan and the former
Soviet Union. Russia can play a crucial role in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict. Russia, by solving the conflict, can also build trust in its
neighbors and play a significant role in the settlement of other international
conflicts. By solving the conflict at the same time, Russia can form a common
Caucasian market with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. Probably, the long
history of the Russian-Azerbaijani friendship, despite the difficulties of the
time, will continue successfully. The future friendly relations between our
countries will give impetus to all areas and bring our nations closer. Finally,
let's summarize Ilham Aliyev's speech on the general review of interstate
relations during Vladimir Putin's visit to Baku in August 2013. "The agenda of
our relations is very broad. Cooperation is multidimensional and multilateral,
covering almost all areas. Our positions on economic relations, humanitarian,
transport, regional security and all issues are similar. In other words, our
relations are developing very successfully” [16].

Thus, Azerbaijan is now considered as a key geopolitical location as the
most promising partner in ensuring peace and security in the region. Our
country is a major participant in all regional issues and, as Aliyev noted, "no
strategic project in the region can be realized without the consent of
Azerbaijan.” As a result of the successful foreign policy implemented by
President Ilham Aliyev, there are currently 57 embassies of foreign countries,
permanent representations of five international organizations, 9 Consulate
General, 7 representative offices and 7 honorary consulates. There are
embassies of 58 countries, four general consulates, 10 honorary consulates and
representation of 20 international organizations. Over the past two years, our
country has opened new embassies in the Swiss Confederation, the Australian
Union and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Consulate General of the
United Arab Emirates in Dubai, and representative offices in Colombia and
Uruguay. In addition, the Honorary Consulates and Missions of the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan, the Republic of Sudan, the Republic of Colombia, the
Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Spain and Malaysia, as well as a number of other
states have begun to function.

Azerbaijan cooperates with all states on an equal footing. Noteworthy is
that, strong states have to take account of Azerbaijan's fair position. This is
an important point in foreign policy. The point is that Azerbaijan is the only
country in the South Caucasus that has successfully pursued a balanced foreign
policy. Baku skillfully balances the interests of the great powers in the
region. Azerbaijan is thus gaining a geopolitical dividend that meets national
interests. This issue should be considered as an integral part of the strategy
of "flexible alliances.” Over the past two years, the leadership of the country
has achieved significant results in this aspect, the relations with the United
States and Europe have risen to a new level, and the relations in energy and
security have deepened. The agreements reached during the visit to Britain and
France once again reaffirmed the special role of Azerbaijan in the fight
against international terrorism and its energy security. The European Union has
shown its interest in raising the bilateral relations to a new level, in which
relations with the European Neighborhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership
Continues its active participation in the format of this event Baku was
recognized as a worthy representative of Islamic culture, and diplomatic
activities in the foreign policy of the CIS, the Organization of Islamic
Cooperation and the Cooperation Council of the Turkic-speaking States have
risen to a new level. Azerbaijan has been fully able to adapt its activities
within the framework of cooperation with the European and Euro-Atlantic
structures. At present, Azerbaijan has 74 diplomatic missions and consulates in
foreign countries, including 55 embassies, 5 international organizations, 9
Consulate General and 5 Honorary Consulates. There are embassies of 53 states,
3 general consulates, 12 honorary consulates and representations of 20
international organizations in Azerbaijan. There is no other country in the
post-Soviet era now having such a systematic diplomatic activity. These were
achieved through effective diplomatic activities.

Here, one should emphasize the importance of the foreign policy course
for Azerbaijan. The point is that Azerbaijan only demonstrates its experience
of implementing a balanced political course in such a complex region as the
South Caucasus in a systematic or new geopolitical reality. This should be
regarded as a step forward in the region's diplomacy. This aspect of foreign
policy is very important from the point of view of international credibility as
a result of the confidence in the country and its results. Nowadays, the
coordination of activities within the framework of global organizations with
the activities of regional organizations plays a crucial role in ensuring
sovereignty. Azerbaijan has become an exemplary state that has implemented a
systematic and multi-vector foreign policy course in the region.

Literature:

1. Elkhan Nuriyev. Roundtable Summary the Geopolitics of
Azerbaijan. Centre for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan 28
April 2010